Thursday, 4 July 2013

Dublin Bus shelve plans to curtail the 145 route to Kilmac

Sinn Fein councillor John Brady has welcomed the decision by DublinBus to shelve their plans to scrap the 145 bus route to Kilmacanogue.The Sinn Féin councillor was informed this week by the operationsmanager of Dublin Bus that plans they had to terminate the 145 atSpringfield cemetery as opposed to Kilmac will now not proceed.

Speaking after receiving the positive news Councillor John Brady said"I am delighted that common sense has prevailed and that Dublin Bushas scrapped their plan of cutting the 145 bus route to Kilmacanogue.When I first discovered the plans of Dublin Bus to cut the route backin February it caused huge levels of concern in the village whichresulted in a big community campaign of opposition. The communityfought long and hard to get a bus service to Kilmac and they certainlyweren't prepared to give it up without a fight."

Brady continued "The 145 bus provides a critical link for the peoplein the village and the evidence of that showed when i called a publicmeeting on the issue in Kilmac in March, when over 150 people turnedup to listen to how the service could be saved. At that meeting manypeople voiced their opposition to the plans, but more importantlythere were many constructive proposals on how to save the route,improve and enhance it. We compiled a petition with over 1500 peoplesigning it, i also had the issue dealt with at a meeting of WicklowCounty Council and a motion was passed opposing any plans to cut theroute and this was relayed to Dublin Bus also."

Brady went onto say "Unfortunately it was disappointing however that anumber of requests to officials from Dublin Bus to sit down with arepresentative group of residents and users of the route from Kilmacwas turned down. The reason given was that they don't do publicconsultation, which is quite bizarre as Dublin Bus is there to providea public transport service and they receive substantial subsidies todo so. One would imagine consulting with the public user with be acritical part of the process in determining routes."

Brady concluded "Since February I have remained in constant contactwith officials in Dublin Bus and continued to voice opposition totheir plans, so i was delighted when I was finally informed thatcurtailing the route at Springfield cemetery is now off the cards.This is fantastic news for everyone in Kilmac and shows that when acommunity comes together they can achieve a lot. I have committed towork with Dublin Bus to try improve the service now and try addressany small issues that maybe of concern to the officials within DublinBus. I will also continue now to push for a bus shelter and otherimprovements for the public in the Kilmac area." Ends